Cushioning mechanism for railway vehicles



D. WILLISON cusmoums MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES Filed Sept. 1. 1950 June 2, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORL DONALD W/LL /50N BY ATTORNE Y June 2, 1953 o. WILLISON 2,640,602

CUSHIONING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES Filed Sept. 1. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 QLQQA I INVENTOR. I v DONALD W/L L ISO/V BY )4 TTORNE Y June 2, 1953 D. WILLISON 2,640,602

CUSHIONING MECHANISM F OR RAILWAY VEHICLES Filed Sept. 1, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 DRAFT 7 BUF F TR/IVE L IN INCHES nvmvrox DONAL D W/L L lSO/V ATTORNEY June 2,- 1953 D. WILLISON 2,640,602 cusaioumc; MECHANISM FOR. RAILWAY VEHICLES Filed Sept. 1, 1950 5 Sheets -Sheet 4 INVENTOR. DONALD WILL/SON 1477' GENE Y June 2, 1953 D. WILLISON 2,640,602

CUSHIONING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES Filed Sept. 1, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 L N s Q I Q) 3 E Q INVENTOR. L GNWIOHL 0 k g DONALD WILL/SON 5; E BY Q 4 TTORNE Y Patented June 2, 1953 QUSHE QNLNG MEQHANISM EQR' 53 Bonald'Willison; Cleve] tional Malleabl'e' and d, ioasshmr to Na- Steel Castings; Gompany;

draft gear-pocket intherailwaycar and ofthe yoke which surrounds; the cushioning mechanism. This automatically eliminates-- any freeslaclt between the yoke, draft gear and-draft gearpocket; which with a non-compensating type of draft gearwould be: present; I

Thepresent invention providesvarious-features and improvements over compensating type of cushioning: mechanism disclosed in the abovementionedapplications.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be set-fort-hin theaccompanying descriptiom taken in conjunction with thedrawingsin-- which Fig. 1 is a plan view; partly insection of a compensating draft gear embodying my invention, the: mechanism being applied to aconventionalfreightcar structureusing-the A. R. standard; verticali plane horizontal key= yoke.

Fig. 2=is a. sideele-vational view. of the-mechanism shown; in; Fig. 1i

Fig.1 3; is a plan view. showing the firststageof compression. of the draft gear from. a. light buifingi force.

Fig. 45 is: a plan. view'showing' theseconct stage: of: compression; resulting from. a heavier lcuiiing force.

Fig. 5'. isatypical compression curve.illustrat-.v

ing. the draft: and buffing characteristics: of the cushioning mechanism-shownin-- Figs. 1 to. 4-.

Fig. 6;isa perspective view of. one of the cusheioning: followersof the. cushioning: mechanism;

with-a. portion ofzthe, yoke shown in dot-dash.

lines;

Fig;- 7 I is. a. perspective-viewof? one of the=com1- pensat-in followers. of the oushioning mechanism.

Fig.,8.is;an; end. elevational view of. the CUSh-m ioning follower. showing. the manner of assems. blingthe follower into-.theiyoke;

Fig. 9 is a plan view partly insectioniof amodis.

fied. form of the. invention;

Fig. 1.0;isaisideelevational .view partly in: sec,-. tion, of the modification shown in Fig. 9.

11;; is a planviewlpartly in section... or an other m dification of theinventip Fig, 12; is a sidev elevational view of, the. mod iii aiion show in. Eieg. 11.

F is atypical. compression curveillustratr' ing the draft. and; buijing, characteristic of the. cushioning mechanism shown in the modification. shown in..Fig s. 1 1 and 1 2 The form of the invention, showninlligs. 1. to 8- inclusive is intended primarily for railway freight car service or for use, onswitching l co;- motives which are generally builtwithtlie standard A-. A B yp Qfi' raIt' g ar pocket. the. drawings a o n h eaveoicenter sills, met: a ar n drei sear p ck t I? fo ed he sills,- the front draft-lugs or stops l't'alidthfirear bu fiin-g-lugs or stops L6. The conventionalstrikingcasting I8 is secured" tosills lfi the inner ends of the casting forming the, front stops ii -l: of-= the draft gearpocket; The yoke 2071s anv A. A. R. standard vertical planehorizontal key yoke, known as thQE-ljfli- The shank 2 2. of the. car coupler is connected; to the yoke bythe horizontal key-2 4' of conventionalconstruction which extendslat-erally through slots-'26 in the center sills I0'- and in side walls 28 ofthe striking casting. Slots 2 6- are ofsuflicient length that the ends thereof are at notime engaged by key'i li during draft and bufling movements of; the con pler and yoke.

preferably of slightly greater length than the width" of key- 24; leaving a; clearance as, at 32- between the key and the forward end of the slot-- when the mechanism is in neutral position; as

- in- Fig. 1;

In engagement with thefront lugs l4 and L6 arethe cushioning followers 34 of the draft gear. Gompressed between trans-- verse abutment walls 36 of the cushioningfol lowers is a group--- 37 of rubber pads 33 which and rearstop formthe main orcentral'. cushioning unit of the of: a, metal plate to gear, each: pad consisting which a cushion: of rubber has been bonded. The surface of. therubber is corrugated, as I- have found. that a cushioning pad= of that typecombinesvery desirable compression qualities- Slot win the coupler shank is' the transverse-wall 36 Each cushioning follower 34 as best shown in Fig. 6 comprises the aforementioned transversely extending wall or base portion 36 and a pair of rectangular loop portions 44 disposed adjacent sills l0. Portions 44 are formed by spaced horizontal load transmitting arms 46 which extend from base 38 at the lateral extremities thereof, and by the vertical connecting portions 48 having draft lug engaging faces 49.

Within loop portions 44 of each cushioning follower is disposed the compensating follower 40, which as shown in Fig. 7 comprises a base portion 50 and a yoke or coupler butt engaging portion 52 spaced from base 51i by webs 54. The dimensions of the compensating follower are such that it may be passed transversely through the loops of the cushioning follower during assembly of the mechanism. When outer portions 50a of the compensating follower are in engagement with the inner surfaces 56 of portions 48 of the cushioning follower, as seen on the right side of Fig. 4, the distance between surface 58 on base t and surface 6!! of wall 36 is slightly greater than the thickness of the group 42 of compensating pads in their unloaded position. This permits easy assembly of the compensating pads between the compensating follower and the cushioning follower.

It will be observed that the horizontal arms 46 of each loop portion 44 are spaced apart vertically a sufficient amount to permit the use of the same dimension rubber pads in the compensating units of the mechanism as in the central unit so that a greater cushioning capacity is obtained than if smaller sized pads were used in the compensating units. This arrangement is made possible, without decreasing the strength of cushioning follower 34, by overlapping the sides of the yoke straps 62 with arms 46 of the cushioning follower.

Thus, in effect the yoke straps 62 are recessed into the cushioning follower. p t t (The draft gear is assembled in the yoke as follows The rear cushioning follower 34 is inserted between the yoke straps 62 in the manner shown Fig. 8 and, then rotated into proper position. The associated compensating follower 40 isthen inserted transversely through the loops 44 of the cushioning follower and moved rearwardly until its portions 56a engage surfaces 56 on the cushionin follower. One group 42 of compensating rubber pads is then inserted between the compensating follower and the cushioning follower, and this assembly is moved to the rearward end of the yoke. The other cushioning follower iS similarly inserted into the yoke, its associated compensating follower inserted into place, and

the two followers, without any rubber pads between them are moved to the front end of the yoke. Next the central group 31 of cushioning pads is inserted betweenthe two cushioning followers, and the assembly of yoke and draft gear, minus the second group of compensating rubber pads is placed upright in a press, supported on the rear end of the yoke. Pressure is applied to the stop lug engaging faces49 of. the front cushioning follower sumcient to compress the central group and rearcompensating group of pads until. the overall length of th draft gear. as measured over faces 49 of the front and rear cushioning followers is slightly less than the length of the draft gear pocket, which is 24 inches in the case of the standard A. A. R. draft gear pocket. The front group of compensating rubber pads may then be freely inserted between the front compensating and cushioning followers. While the assembly is held in the press, metallic slugs or other suitable fillers may be inserted between the yoke and one of the compensatin followers to hold the draft gear compressed. The draft gear and yoke may then be removed from the press and the assembly can readily be raised up into the draft gear pocket in the car, after which the usualyoke or gear support plate 64 may be secured to the car sills ill.

The location of the assembly slugs will depend upon the type of yoke that is used. In the case of the Y-iO yoke shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the slugs may be applied between the rear edges 66 of the yoke hood and the shoulders 81 on central web 54 of front compensating follower 49, as illustrated in dot-dash at 68 in Fig. 4. This allows the coupler shank and coupler shank key to be freely inserted, thus completing the application of the draft gear. When the gear receives a buffing blow in service the slugs are released and are free to dro out of the assembly.

In my compensatin draft gear it is important that the number of rubber pads for each group be so selected and the distances between the various followers be so maintained that in its assembled position as shown in Fig. 1, each of the groups of compensating rubber pads is under less precompression than the group of central cushioning pads. While I have shown the equivalent of 3 pads in each compensating group and the equivalent of 8 pads in the central group, it is to be understood that this is merely for the purpose of illustration and may be varied as desired, depending upon the characteristics of the pads used. The precompression for each group of compensating rubber pads may be about 7500 pounds, for instance, and that of the central or main cushioning pads about 25,000 pounds. These particular values may be varied over a considerable range, the essential requirement being that such nominal values be chosen that under all conditions of manufacturin dimensional tolerances the main cushioning group should have more precompression than the compensating groups. Some settling or flow of the rubber must be expected, and allowances must of course be made accordingly in order that desired values of precompression for the groups of pads be attained.

When my compensating draft gear i assembled and applied to a car, the main cushioning group 31 of rubber pads 38 presses the front and rear cushioning followers 34 firmly against the front and rear stop lugs i4 and 1'8, thus holding the draft gear tightly in the draft gear pocket. At the same time the compensating groups 42 of pads 33 press the compensating followers 40 tightly against the rear abutment it of the yoke and against the forward abutment, which in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is formed by the end surface '12 of coupler butt 22. It is' to be understood that in other yoke constructions which may be used the forward abutment may be formed by an integral portion of the yoke or by a separate bufiing block 88, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The draft gear is thus held tightly in the yoke even though there may be considerable difference between case of the Y- iO yoke shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the coupler shank 22 is pressed tightly against the draft key 24, thereby eliminating any slack between the coupler and yoke, and automatically compensating for key, keyslot, and coupler butt wear.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: When a buffing load is applied to the draft gear,

cushioned by the rubber pads, there being no metallic stops to engage and preclude further compression of the pads.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used in a descriptive and not a limiting sense, and I have no intention of excluding such equivalents of the invention described, or of portions thereof, as fall within the purview of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A draft gear for railway vehicles, comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced followers, a cushioning unit extending between said followers and being compressible upon movement of one of said followers toward the other, each of said followers comprising a pair of longitudinally extending loop portions positioned to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, and other cushioning units extending into and carried by said loop portions, said other cushioning units each being compressed between one of said followers and an abutment of an associated draft gear yoke for maintaining said draft gear in tight engagement with said yoke.

2. A draft gear for railway vehicles comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced followers, a cushioning unit extending between said followers and being compressible upon movement of one of said followers toward the other, each of said followers comprising a pair of rectangular longitudinally extending loop portions positioned to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, a compensating follower at each end of said gear having a transverse portion for engagement with the adjacent abutment in a draft gear yoke, said compensating follower being carried by the loop portions of the associated one of said first-named followers and being movable longitudinally thereof, and a compensating cushioning unit carried by said loop portions and being compressible upon movement of said compensating follower inwardly of the associated one of said first-named followers.

3. A draft gear for railway vehicles comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced followers, a cushioning unit extending between said followers and being compressible upon movement of one of said followers toward the other, each of said followers comprising a base portion in engagement with an end of said cushioning unit and a pair of rectangular loop portions extending longitudinally from said base portion and positioned to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, a compensating follower at each end of said gear having a transverse portion for engagement with the adjacent abutment in a draft gear yoke, said compensating follower being carried by said loop portions of theassociated one of said first-named followers and being movable longitudinally thereof, and a compensating cushioning unit at each end of said gear carried by said loop portions, each compensating unit reacting between said base portion of the associated first-named follower and said compensating follower to oppose movement of the latter toward said base portion.

4. A draft gear for railway vehicles comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced followers, a cushioning unit extending between said followers and being compressible upon movement of one of said followers toward the other, each of said followers comprising a base portion, vertically spaced arms extending in one direction longitudinally from the lateral extremities of said base portion, and a. vertical portion joining the ends of said vertically spaced arms positioned to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, a compensating follower at each end of said gear having a transverse portion for engagement with the adjacent abutment in a draft gear yoke, said compensating follower having portions extending between said arms and being movable longitudinally thereof, and a compensating cushioning unit at each end of said gear and extending between said arms, said compensating cushioning unit reacting between said base of the associated first-named follower and said compensating follower to oppose movement of the latter toward said base portion.

5. A draft gear for railway vehicles comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced followers, a cushioning unit extending between said followers and being compressible upon movement of one of said followers toward the other, each of said followers comprising base portion and a pair of laterally disposed rectangular loop portions extending longitudinally from said base portion and positioned to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, each of said loop portions having vertically spaced longitudinally extending arms extending into overlapping relationship with the sides of the straps of an associated draft gear yoke, the inwardly facing surfaces of said arms of each loop portion being spaced apart a distance equal to the height of said base portion, a compensating follower at each end of said gear having a transverse portion for engagement with the adjacent abutment in an associated draft gear yoke, said compensating follower extending laterally between said arms of each loop portion and being movable longitudinally thereof, and a compensating cushioning unit at each end of said gear extending between said arms, said compensating unit reacting between said base of the associated first-named follower and said compensating follower to oppose movement of the latter toward said base portion.

6. A draft gear for railway vehicles comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced followers, a cushioning unit extending between said followers and being compressible upon movement of one of said followers toward the other, each of said followers comprising a base portion in engagement with an end of said cushioning unit and a pair of rectangular loop portions extending longitudinally from said base portion and positioned to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, a compensating follower at each end of said gear movable longitudinally of said first-named follower, said compensating follower comprising a base portion extending into said loop portions of the associated one of said first-named followers and an abutment portion spaced from said base portion thereof and positioned to engage the adjacent abutment in a draft gear yoke, and a compensating cushioning unit extending between said base and abutment portions at each end of said gear for opposing movement of said compensating follower toward said base portion of said first-named follower, said compensating cushioning unit being carried by said loop portions.

'7. A railway draft gear for assembly with a draft gear yoke and between the front and rear stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, comprising followers for engagement with said stop lugs, each of said followers having a base portion and rectangular loop portions extending therefrom toward the end of said gear, the ends of said loop portions being positioned to engage said stop lugs, resilient means compressed between said base por- 59 tions and urging the ends of said loop portions into tight engagement'with said stop lugs, a compensatin'g'follower iat 'eachle'nd of said gear having atransverse portionfo r engagement withthe adjacent abutment in said yoke, said compensating follower being carried by said loop portions and being movable lengthwise thereof, and resilient means carried by loopportions andreac'ting between said base portion of the associated on'e ofsaidfirst nainedfollowers andsaid compensating "follower, said last-named resilient means being under predetermined initial compression for urging said compensating follower into engagement'with'the adjacent abutment in said yoke.

8. Ina railway draft gear a pair of relatively movable followers, one of said followers comprising a transverse base portion and a pair of rectangular loop portions extending longitudinally from .the lateral extremities of said base portion, theends of said loop portions being positioned. to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, and another follower having a base portion extending into said loop portions and being movable lengthwise thereof, said last-named follower having a draft gear yoke engaging portion spaced from said base portion thereof, and resilient means carried ,by-said loop portions interposed between said base portions to oppose movement of said last-named follower toward said base portion of said first-named follower.

"9. In a railway draft gear a .pair of relatively movable followers, one of said followers comprising a rectangular base portion, arms extending longitudinally from the corners of said base portion, and vertical portions joining the ends of said arms, said vertical portions being positioned to engage the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, and a draft gear yoke engaging-follower extendingbetween said arrnsand being movable'lengthwise 'thereof, said last-named followerhaving a rectangular base portion of substantially the same lengthand width-as saidbase portion of said firstnamed follower, and resilient means between said base lportions-for-opposing movement of said lastnamed follower toward said base portion of said first-named'follower.

l0. In-a railway draft gear'a pair of relatively movable followers, one of said followers being U- shaped and comprising a transversely extending base portion and longitudinally extending side portions for engagement with the stops of a draft gear pocket, each of said side portions having rectangular transversely extending openings, another follower extending through said openings and being movable lengthwise of said side portions, said last-named follower having a transverse portion engageable with the adjacent abutment in a draft gear yoke, and resilient means between said base portion and said second-named follower for opposing movement of the latter toward said base portion.

11. A railway draft gear for assembly with a draft gear yoke and between the front and rear stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, comprising a central cushioning unit, followers engaging the ends of said unit and being of such extent longitudinally of said gear as to place said unit under initial compression when said gear is inserted between said stop lugs, said followers having spaced longitudinally extending loop portions the ends of which are positioned to engage said stop lugs, compensating followers extending into said loop portions and being movable lengthwise of said loop portions, said compensating followers being engageable with front and rear abutments in said lO yoke, and compensating cushioning units extending into said loop portions, said compensating units being under initial compression to urge said compensating followers tightlyagain'st said yoke abutmen'ts. i

12. A'railway draft ,gear, comprising a pair of relatively movable'followers, one-of said followers comprising a transverse base portion, vertical portions spaced longitudinally of said base portion and arms ,joining'the upper and'lower ends of said verticalporti'ons to (said baseportion, said vertical ,port'ions being positioned to engage -the stop lugs of a draft ge'anpocket, the other of said followers being engageable with an abutment in a draft .gear yoke, said second follower "facing said base ,portion and having lateral portions engageable with the inner sides of said vertical portions to .limit movement of said second Ifollower longitudinally away from said base ,portion, and resilient meansfor opposingmovement of said-second 'followertoward-said base portion. 13. A railway draft .gear comprisin a pair of longitudinally spaced followers, each of said followers having a base portion and longitudinal side portions ,positioned to engage thefront and rear stop lugs of a draftgear pocket, a group of resilient .pads compressible between said base portions, said .side portions having transverse openings, a compensating Tfollower at each end of said gear havinga transverse portion positioned to engage an abutment in a draft gear yoke, said followerbeing carried by "the associated one of said first-named followers "and being insertable therein transversely through said openings, and another group of resilient pads at each end o'fsaid gear between said cornpensating follower and said base portion to-oppose movement of said compensating follower toward said base .por'tion, said other group of resilient pads being 'insertable into said firstnamed follower transversely through said openings.

'14. .A railway draft gear for assembly with a 3 draft wear ,yoke and between ,thefront andrear stop lugs ofa draft gear pocket, said gear comprising acentral cushioning unitfhaving endfollowersf'ormed with longitudinal -loo p portions of suc'h'length .as to place said unit underpr-edetermined initial compression when said gear-is assembled between said front rear stop lugs, and other cushioning units at the ends of said gear, each of said other cushioning units being compressed between an adjacent one of said followers and an abutment in said yoke, said second-named cushioning units being under lesser initial compression than said central cushioning unit, said loop portions encircling said secondnarned cushioning units.

15. A railway draft gear for assembly with a draft gear yoke and between the front and rear stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, said gear comprising a central group of resilient pads having end followers formed with longitudinal loop portions of such length as to place said pads under predetermined initial compression when said gear is assembled between said front and rear stop lugs, each of said end followers comprising a transverse base portion engaging an end of said group of pads, and compensating groups of pads at the ends of saidgear placed under predetermined initial compression between front and rear abutments in said yoke, said loop portions encircling said compensating pads, said compensating pads reacting between said base portion of the associated one of said end followers and the adjacent abutment in said yoke, said followers and said pads each being of substantially the same extent in a direction transversely of said gear.

16. A railway draft gear for assembly with a draft gear yoke and between the front and rear stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, said gear comprising a central cushioning unit, end followers engaging said unit, said followers being formed with longitudinal loop portions of such length as to place said unit under predetermined initial compression when said gear is assembled between said front and rear stop lugs, another cushioning unit at each end of said gear carried by said loops of each of said end followers, and a follower at each end of said gear extending into and carried by said loop portions, said second-named follower having a transverse portion positioned to engage the adjacent abutment in said yoke to place said second-named cushioning units under predetermined initial compression of a lesser amount than said central cushioning unit, said cushioning units and followers being so arranged that during initial actuation of said gear in either buff or draft one of said second-named cushioning units is compressed until the initial compression of said central unit is equaled after which said second-named cushioning unit and said central unit compress in series during the remainder of the actuation of said gear.

1'7. A follower member for a railway draft gear, comprising a transverse base portion and a pair of rectangular loop portions extending longitudinally from the lateral extremities of said base portion, the ends of said loop portions having stop lugengaging surfaces, said loop portions being formed with transverse openings for receiving associated resilient means of a draft gear.

18. A follower member for a railway draft gear, comprising a transverse base portion and a pair of rectangular loop portions extending longitudinally from the lateral extremities of said base portion, each loop portion comprising a, pair of vertically spaced horizontal arms and a vertical element joining the ends of said arms, said loop portions being spaced apart to receive in overlapping relationship the upper and lower straps of a draft gear yoke, said vertical elements having surfaces for engagement with the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket.

19. In a railway draft gear a pair of relatively 12 movable followers, one of said followers comprising a transverse base portion and rectangular loop portions, said loop portions being spaced apart transversely and extending longitudinally from said base portion, said loop portions being joined by top and bottom walls, the ends of said loop portions having surfaces for engagement with the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, said top and bottom walls being spaced apart a lesser amount than the straps of an associated draft gear yoke to enable insertion of said follower into said yoke by movement of said follower transversely into place between the yoke straps, and another follower carried by said loop portions having a surface for engagement with an abutment in said yoke, said other follower being insertable into said first follower transversely through said loop portions, and a cushioning unit carried by said loop portions and reacting between said base portion and said other follower to oppose movement of said other follower toward said base portion.

20. -A railway draft gear comprising a forward follower and a rearward follower, a group of cushioning pads extending between said followers and being compressible therebetween, each of said followers having a pair of longitudinally extending loopportions for engagement with the stop lugs of a draft gear pocket, the loop portions of said forward follower being longer than the loop portions of said rearward follower, groups of cushioning pads extending into and carried by the loop portions of said followers said last-named groups of pads each being compressed between the associated one of said fol lowers and an abutment in an associated draft gear yoke to maintain said draft gear in tight engagement with said yoke, the group of pads carried by the loops of said forward follower being of greater capacity than the group of pads carried by the loop portions of said rearward follower.

DONALD WILLISON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,227,821 OConnor May 29, 1917 2,024,868 Mussey et al Dec. 17, 1935 2,390,496 Campbell Dec. 11, 1945 

